The NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) has appointed a new Zone Commander for the northern part of the state.

Chief Superintendent (CSP) Greg Swindells, who previously led Greater Sydney as Commander of the Metro Zone, will oversee NSW SES operations from Urunga in the south to Tweed Heads in the north.

CSP Swindells spent 18 years with NSW Police Force and completed policing duties in both metropolitan and regional parts of the state, including the Tweed Byron Local Area Command. 

Following his retirement from the Police Force, CSP Swindells owned and operated small businesses in the Northern Rivers and joined NSW SES ranks as a volunteer at the Tweed Coast Unit so he knows the Northern Rivers well.

Introducing himself at a press conference at the Lismore Boat Ramp on Victoria Street today, CSP Swindells gave an update on the NSW SES Northern Zone.

"I know there are some hurdles to overcome, particularly in this area with some events that have occurred in the past and certainly in the future with storms, floods, and east coast lows, but I can tell you that I am up for the challenge to lead the team of local volunteers and work closely with the community to work through these as they appear."

"Connecting with volunteers is the most rewarding part of my job, working with the local communities, working with the volunteers that support not only their own communities in times of need, but travel the state and also interstate to assist as required."

CSP Swindells said they are building the full-time staff numbers in the Goonellabah office from 4, before the 2022 floods, to 20 in the future. There will also be a zone office based in Grafton with a further four or five staff members.

"The coming few months is an exciting time for us here in the northeastern zone as we build our team. This team I will lead to run events that are local and support our wonderful volunteers who give up so much of their time to work with their communities in their time of need."

"I would also like to put the call out there for people that may be members of the community of the northeastern zone that may have skill sets that we can use in times of emergency, to consider volunteering and helping us in these times. Please, if you feel you would like to volunteer, reach out to your local SCS unit who will be happy to take your call and work with you to recruit you as one of our members."

In June 2022, Premier Dominic Perrottet announced a new state-of-the-art NSW SES Incident Control Centre will be built somewhere in the Lismore/Goonellabah area and would be the hub of the Northern Rivers. CSP Swindells gave an update on the progress of the building.

"At this point in time the northeastern zone is basically at our existing building in Goonellabah. Some works have been undertaken there, in the interim, to make sure that we're ready to respond to an operation as required whilst the search goes on, to narrow down as to where our final location will be for a new ready fit, ready purpose level three incident control centre for the northeastern zone."

"The northeastern zone will have 27 operational units and two capability units full of volunteers to respond to our combat roles of flood, storm and tsunami. But also, the important work that our volunteers do in general land rescue, road crash rescue, vertical rescue and some of our volunteers as community first responders are assisting community members in their time of need."

When asked about flood preparedness for future events and specifically the training of the tinnie army, CSP Swindells said, "There's all sorts of training in the pipeline and as you've alluded to the tinnie army, it's certainly something that's been looked at and will be rolled out at the suitable time."

"There's a multitude of new capabilities, a multitude of training, a multitude of new volunteers we're bringing on board and staff members, this will all be rolled up into one. But I can tell you flood rescue is a main priority of us as an agency. We do hold the combat role for flood rescue and we certainly work hard to ensure we protect life of people as required."

What has improved in terms of flood preparedness in the last 12 months?

"Well, what we saw, I think it was in September last year, we rolled out the Australian Warning System, which is a national system that has probably made it a little bit simplified in regards to how we get our messaging out. I can tell you that I have worked through several events where that has been used and the feedback we have received from members of the community, with clear messaging and clear guidance and direction that we're giving people is certainly holding us in good stead for future operations."

CSP Swindells gave a big compliment to his team and the team of volunteers who serve in the NSW SES.

"The people that are standing behind me, in the orange, are the heroes of the community. They are volunteers that give up their time. They work, they're retired, they're students, they're people just like everybody else. But what amazes me and astounds me is when the call goes out for help and assistance they stick their hand up and they come and assist their communities. They are local members of your community volunteering to train and prepare to help in times of need."

As we have learnt during the last 12 months and will continue to learn over the next 5-10 years, the Lismore rebuild and all of its parts will not be a quick fix as the wheels of government turn slowly. What is important is that we, as a community, are safe in the knowledge that we are much better prepared for the next flood that comes our way.